Auto-Align 2 ARA in Pro Tools - Things to know and best practices

Here are a few things worth knowing when working with Auto-Align 2 ARA in Pro Tools:

1. Inactivating Tracks Clears Their Alignment

When you make a track inactive in Pro Tools, its alignment is cleared. Once reactivated, the alignment isn't restored.

Workaround:

Before inactivating tracks — or once you’re happy with the alignment — use Export Alignment from Auto-Align 2’s Settings menu to export the alignment.
When you bring the track back, import the saved alignment, and you're good to go.

Pro tip: It’s always a good idea to export your alignment as a backup.

2. Keep the .ptx and ARA Data Folder Together

If the .ptx session file or the ARA Data folder gets moved after alignment, you’ll lose the alignment.

To avoid issues, keep both in the same location after the alignment is completed.

3. Using Import Session Data to import tracks with Auto-Align 2

If you’re using Import Session Data to import tracks that have Auto-Align 2 on them, it’s a good idea to import their alignment afterward.

4. Consolidating Clips Commits AA2 (But Leaves It On)

When you consolidate clips (Option + Shift + 3), Auto-Align 2’s processing is committed to the audio, but the plugin remains active on the track.
This will result in the audio being processed twice.

Solution: export the alignment, remove AA2 from the track(s) you’re consolidating, consolidate, add AA2, and import the alignment for the relevant tracks.